SPARTAN HALTS BAG/FOAM RECYCLING, CITES COST, HEALTH HAZARDS

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Spartan Stores here stopped accepting polystyrene foam and plastic bags from retailers it services earlier this month, citing cost and health issues in handling.An estimated 20% of the polystyrene foam and plastic bags returned by customers are contaminated with nonrecyclable items such as hypodermic needles and medical supplies, as well as dirty diapers, according to Gary Evey,

An estimated 20% of the polystyrene foam and plastic bags returned by customers are contaminated with nonrecyclable items such as hypodermic needles and medical supplies, as well as dirty diapers, according to Gary Evey, a spokesman for Spartan. Approximately 45% of Spartan's 470 members participated in